Rep Cmte Small Business

Contact:DJ Jordan, Joel Hannahs 202-225-5821

Chairman Graves Statement on August Jobs Report

Washington,
Sep 7
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House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor reported that only 96,000 jobs were created in August while the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent due to a drop in the labor force participation rate:

“I welcome any jobs, but the weakest recovery since the Great Depression is still not cause for celebration. The unemployment rate has not fallen below 8 percent for the past 43 months. The labor force participation rate is at the lowest level in 31 years. We're still experiencing a significant jobs crisis, whether President Obama recognizes it or not. While Washington Democrats make up stories of obstructionism, the fact is the House has passed more than 30 jobs bills that sit on Senator Harry Reid’s desk. We also created a Plan for America’s Job Creators to boost private sector growth.

“President Obama’s record of big spending, debt and tax hikes haven’t worked. It’s way past time for a course correction. The country needs responsible leadership, not the President’s boasts over insufficient growth. Americans are looking for a sustained recovery. This weak report is nowhere near enough, and this has gone on long enough. Any real jobs plan must stop the regulatory madness and avert the fiscal cliff of tax increases on January 1. The health care law is yet another drag on the economy. Small businesses need tax relief and regulatory certainty to grow and hire.”